Oxford Company Faces $6,800 in Penalties For Hazardous Waste Management Violations; Must Supply Spill Equipment to Oxford Fire Dept.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) assessed $6,800 in fines and penalties to Swissturn/USA, Inc. for violating numerous Hazardous Waste Management regulations at its Oxford facility.

Swissturn/USA, which operates a machining operation that generates products for the electrical, medical, and solar panel industries from its One Hawsley Road plant, must return to environmental compliance, pay a $1,728 fine to the Commonwealth, and perform a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) worth $5,072. 

During a routine inspection conducted in November 2008, MassDEP personnel determined that the company was generating hazardous waste and waste oil in excess of its registered status. The company also had not been keeping inspection logs of hazardous waste accumulation areas, had not been training its employees on proper waste oil handling and emergency procedures, and failed to comply with numerous other hazardous waste management requirements.

Under the terms of a recently finalized consent order, the company has agreed to fund a SEP, which will provide the Oxford Fire Department with additional equipment to respond to hazardous waste spills. The equipment includes such items a containment booms and devices, Speedy Dry absorbent material, and communications equipment.
 
"There are numerous requirements in our Hazardous Waste regulations designed to protect the workers and environment from the mismanagement of hazardous waste," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "Once made aware of the violations, the company acted quickly to comply. The Supplemental Environmental Project should provide additional assistance to the Oxford Fire Department in responding to future hazardous material spills."

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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